Pupil awaiting trial ‘expelled’

A KWAKOMANI Comprehensive School pupil, who stands accused of robbery in Mlungisi, is wanting to return to school after claiming that he has since been expelled by principal Victor Pakade.

Sinako Cingo, 18, who is in Grade 10, was arrested on the charge recently.

Cingo told The Rep he was in custody for three weeks and was released on April 26.

He said this week that his parents were called to the school to be told by Pakade that he had been expelled.

He said he feared he would miss exams and that he could not afford to waste any more time as he had already missed school during the time he was under arrest.

“I have been to the district office six times and I was told the matter would be dealt with, but nothing has happened. I just want to go back to school.”

His mother, Queeny, said she wanted her son back at school before he got involved in bad things in the township.

“We are both stressed. We went to the provincial office on Tuesday but everything is just the same – we are not getting any help but promises. I am unemployed and my son is my hope for a better life.”

Pakade said he did not know anything about Cingo’s expulsion.

“We don’t expel children for things that happen in the township. I don’t even have powers to expel pupils, but you can ask the department,” he said.

District director Nkosinathi Godlo, who is currently on sick leave, said only the head of department had the power to expel pupils. He said the case had, however, not come to him but was with deputy director Daan Jonker.

In a telephonic interview yesterday, Jonker said he was dealing with the matter.

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